When i mentioned this speech to some of my pals, they were surprised i was going to give it or it i have not given a pronouncement commencement speech since leaving office. My decision is practical. I got a phone call from my landlord. Gerald turner. Rather than raising the rent or threatening to hold the Security Deposit i was relieved to hear him ask if i believed in free speech. It[applause] i said it yes. He said perfect, here is your chance to give one a. I am honored to be here. It truly honored. I will be delivering the 100th spring it commencement address. I admire president turners persuasiveness in his leadership. He runs a fantastic university. [applause] it is dynamic diverse, destined for continued excellence. He has a strong Administrative Team and has engaged alumni and has an outstanding board of trustees. I am fortunate to know many of the trustees. For example i am good friends with the chairman. There is one trustee i know really well a. It she is a proud graduate of the class of 1968. She went on to become our nations greatest first lady. [applause] do me a favor and dont tell mother. [laughter] i know how much the trustees love and care for this great university. If i have seen it firsthand when i attended bring your spouse night dinners. I drop by classes on occasion. I am impressed by the intelligence and the energy of the faculty. I want to thank you for your dedication and for sharing your knowledge with the students. Some of the your parents love you so much they are in the overflow section across the campus. I congratulate the parent to made this moment possible. It is a glorious day when your College Child graduates from college. It is a really great day for your bank account. I know the members of the class of 2015 will join me in thanking you for your love and your support. [applause] most of all, i congratulate the members of the class of 2015. It you worked hard to reach this milestone. You leave with lifelong friends and fond memories. You will always member how much you enjoyed the right to buy a required campus meal plan it. [laughter] you remember your frequent battles with the clark and tony office. You may not remember those productive nights at the barley house. [applause] you were founding members of the mob, bouncing like mad and watching if your student body president , dance with joy after the ponies victory. You will think back to those fall game days on the boulevard. I dont recall seeing too many of you in the stadium. Those of you are graduated this afternoon with high honors and distinctions, well done it. As i like to tell the sea students, you too can be president. [applause] after four years of sitting through lectures, i feel youre not in the mood for another one up. What i learned about graduation speeches is that they are too long and rarely remembered. I will keep this short. I cannot attest to how memorable it will be. I asked mark craig to deliver the sermon before my second inauguration as governor of texas. I still remember his twang it as he talked about moses. God called moses to action and a moses found excuses not to act. Who am i that i should go to pharaoh and bring the sons of israel out of egypt . Send some other person. I have sheep to tend and the people not believe me. I am not a very good speaker. He was not the only one who is ever mangled the english language. Or in his case, arabic. Mosys recognized a call beyond himself. He answered the call and history was made. You will be called at some point. The question as marc laid out is will you be optimistic and hopeful or pessimistic and cynical . Here are three reasons why you should be optimistic. One is you are graduating from a great university. Your degree will open the door for a wide variety of career options. Millions will never have had this opportunity. You can reason and continue to learn throughout your life. It is given you the tools to be productive citizens. One of the great things about america is our active public square. That is why an educated citizenry is so important to the success of our country. As graduates, you are wellequipped to participate in these vital debates. My hope is that you speak out on the issues that matter to you and participate in your civic life and citizens, not spectators. You will come to learn that who you are is more important than what you have. You have responsibilities to your fellow citizens and your country and your family. By taking part in democracy, you will make our country stronger. Secondly, you are blessed to live in the greatest nation ever. [applause] you can strive to succeed as far as you gear to dream. It says something about our country that millions around the world are willing to leave their homes and families and risk everything to come here and realize the american dream. Their pursuit of that dream integrates our national soul. It renews our countrys character. It adds vitality to our culture. You live in a land that is compassionate and decent. We believe in the rights and dignity of our own a citizenry. We are committed to defending the rights and dignity of people everywhere. America has liberated millions around the world from tyranny and terror. We helped turn the tide against deadly disease in places like africa. In our hearts, we believe all are created equal under god. The liberty we prize is not our gift to the world. It is gods gift to humanity. We are working to honor those beliefs. No matter what your career path when you help another person you enrich your heart. You strengthen the fabric of our collective is this. Business. Some of you have already made service a priority in your lives by volunteering during breaks. You have completed more than 100 Community Projects to engage learning. I thank you for recognizing the timeless truths of those to whom much is given, much is required. As you serve others, you can inspire others. I have been inspired by the example of many selfless servants. Winston churchill inspired me during my presidency. Like churchill, i now paid. Paint. It is not worth much without the signature. He gave a speech to the students of his oldschool during the most trying times in world war ii. It was not long and it is well remembered. He urged to never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. I hope you will remember this advice. There is a lesser known passage from that speech that i want to share with you. These are not dark days. It these are great days. The greatest day of our country days our country has ever lived. We should thank god that we are playing a part to make these days memorable. When he uttered these words many have lost hope. Many doubted the future of freedom. Today, some doubt americas future. They say our best days are behind us. I say given our strengths, one of which is a bright new generation like you, these are not dark days. These are great days. Finally, you can be hopeful because there is a loving god. Whether you agree with that statement or not is your choice. It is not your governments choice. [applause] it is essential to this nations future that we remember the freedom to worship who we want and how we want or not worship at all is a core belief of our founding. I have made my choice. I believe that the almightys grace and unconditional love will sustain you. I believe it will bring you joy amidst the trials of life. It will enable you to better see the beauty around you. It will provide a Solid Foundation amidst a rapidly changing technologically driven world. It will show you how to love your neighbor. You can approach success with humility and failure without fear. It will inspire you to honor your parents and eventually be a better spouse and. Yourself. Yourself. Parent yourself. Money and fame are false idols. I hope and believe that gods love will inspire you to serve others. I want to thank you for letting me share this special day with you. Stay in touch with your friends. Love your family. Treat this day as a step toward a lifetime of learning. Go forth with confidence. May god bless you. [applause] judge Susan Webber Wright delivered this s